Emanuel warm to right field Wrigley party deck over Sheffield

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today sounded supportive of allowing the Cubs to build a right field party deck over Sheffield Avenue, pointing out that the Ricketts family and the rooftop owners both like the idea while adding it’s important to get the community’s input on the proposal.

Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts raised questions last week following the City Council’s approval of the team’s $500 million plan to renovate the ballpark and develop the surrounding neighborhood, saying he wants a guarantee that the rooftop owners won’t sue. The rooftop clubs are seeking to ensure that their lucrative views into the ballpark don’t get blocked.

One idea being floated as a way to break the impasse involves extending the stadium’s exterior right-field wall back 8 more feet and building a patio that would stretch above Sheffield Avenue. The configuration would take out a lane of parking on the east side of the street and shut out some daylight, creating a viaduct-like cover over the street.